Fantasy job: U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Fiji (or some other place with excellent surf)

Executive you most admire: Steve Jobs

Business advice: Put the interests of your clients above all else.

When Greg Genske entered the agent business in the summer
of 2004, he was a marked man. Then a 32-year-old trial lawyer, Genske had spent
about seven months working for the old Moorad Sports Management, training to
take over one of the biggest MLB player representation practices in sports.

Greg GenskeLegacy Sports Group

“It’s
open season,” one rival baseball agent snickered upon hearing the news that the
young lawyer would be taking over the storied practice.

Nobody is
laughing these days.

Genske, along with partners
Brian Peters and Scott Parker, has negotiated $926 million in playing contracts
since Moorad’s departure. That number includes the $161 million, seven-year
deal for CC Sabathia with the New York Yankees — the largest contract in
history for a pitcher, both in total value and average annual value. The three
partners — Genske stressed that they work as a team on every deal and for every
client — represent 70 players, 36 of whom are on major league rosters.

“In every
significant contract negotiation and other business transaction, we employ a
team approach, with at least two and sometimes all three of us actively
participating in all phases of the negotiation and other transactions,” Genske
said.

The firm
has lost clients, including slugger Manny Ramirez, who left last year at the
same time that the agent with whom he had the closest relationship, Gene Mato,
left the firm. But they have picked up quite a few new ones as well, including
two No. 1 overall picks in the amateur draft, Matt Bush (2004) and Tim Beckham
(2008).

Genske
originally was named CEO of the practice, which was owned by Canadian firm
Loring Ward (formerly Assante) when he was named to succeed Moorad in 2004. But
Genske, Peters and Parker decided that they would be partners, with no CEO,
when they bought the firm in 2005.

“I think
that Greg, Scott Parker and Brian Peters have done a terrific job in helping
their agency ascend to the next level,” Moorad said. “Greg is hardworking, he’s
hard-nosed and completely dedicated to the interests of his clients. He is a
pain in the rear. I prefer to let the general manager deal with Greg.”